Feelings in Action

Ali Shwartz

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Feelings in Action Session 1

Students will learn three coping tools—deep breathing, counting to five, and positive self-talk—and practice applying them in guided role-play scenarios to manage emotions.

Early social-emotional skills help PreK students recognize feelings and self-regulate. Role-play makes learning interactive and memorable, building confidence in using coping strategies.

Audience

PreK Students (ages 4–5)

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Introduce, model, and practice coping tools through guided role-play

Materials

Session 1 Role-Play Scenario Cards, - Coping Tools Chart, - Emotion Faces Chart Poster, and - Stuffed Emotion Puppets

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print and cut out Session 1 Role-Play Scenario Cards
Print and display Coping Tools Chart and Emotion Faces Chart Poster
Gather stuffed emotion puppets in a basket
Review role-play scenarios to familiarize yourself with each context and the three coping tools

Step 1

Introduction to Coping Tools

5 minutes

Gather students in a circle near the calm-down area
Show Coping Tools Chart and introduce deep breathing, counting to five, and positive self-talk
Demonstrate each tool while referring to the chart
Ask students to mimic each action once

Step 2

Warm-Up Activity

3 minutes

Use the stuffed emotion puppets to express happy, sad, and angry feelings
Hold up a puppet and ask: “What feeling is this?”
Refer to Emotion Faces Chart Poster for visual cues
Encourage students to share a time they felt that way

Step 3

Modeling Role-Play

5 minutes

Select one puppet and describe a simple scenario (e.g., “Puppet is frustrated because its block tower fell.”)
Choose a coping tool and narrate the steps while using the tool yourself
Point to the corresponding strategy on the Coping Tools Chart
Invite one student to suggest which tool the puppet should try next

Step 4

Student Practice Role-Play

5 minutes

Divide students into small groups of 2–3
Give each group one Session 1 Role-Play Scenario Card
Provide a puppet or have a student act as the puppet in the scenario
Students practice selecting and demonstrating a coping tool from the chart
Circulate to support choices and prompt next steps

Step 5

Cool-Down Reflection

2 minutes

Reconvene in the circle
Ask volunteers to share which coping tool they used and how it helped
Praise each effort and reinforce that practicing makes them feel safe and calm
End with a group deep-breathing exercise guided by the Coping Tools Chart

Slide Deck

Feelings Session 1: Coping Tools Role-Play

Objective:
• Learn three coping tools: deep breathing, counting to five, positive self-talk
• Practice using these tools in fun role-play scenarios

Welcome the students and introduce today’s session. Explain that today we’ll learn three tools to help us feel calm and safe when we have big feelings.

Coping Tools Chart

• Deep Breathing: Breathe in for three, breathe out for three
• Counting to Five: Slowly count 1-2-3-4-5
• Positive Self-Talk: Say “I can do it!” or “I feel calm”

Display the Coping Tools Chart. Model each tool slowly and ask students to copy you.

Warm-Up: Emotion Puppets

• Meet our puppets: happy, sad, angry
• Ask: “What feeling is this?”
• Use the Emotion Faces Chart Poster for clues
• Invite one student to share a time they felt that way

Pull out the stuffed emotion puppets one by one. Ask students to name the feeling and relate it to the chart.

Modeling Role-Play

Scenario: Puppet is frustrated because its block tower fell.

Choose a tool from the chart
Demonstrate steps out loud
Point to the matching icon on the Coping Tools Chart

Choose one puppet scenario (e.g., block tower fell). Verbally walk through selecting a tool, pointing to the chart, and demonstrating the steps.

Student Practice Role-Play

• Groups of 2–3 students
• Each group gets one scenario card
• Take turns acting as the puppet and picking a coping tool
• Practice demonstrating the tool steps

Divide students into groups and hand out one Session 1 Role-Play Scenario Card to each group. Encourage turn-taking for puppet and tool selection.

Cool-Down Reflection

• Share: Which tool did you use?
• How did it help?
• Group deep-breathing: follow the Coping Tools Chart

Bring everyone back to the circle. Prompt volunteers to share which tool they used and how it helped them feel better. End with a guided breathing exercise together.

Worksheet

Session 1 Scenario Cards

Print and cut along the dotted lines. Use each card in your small group: read the feeling and situation, show the feeling with your puppet, then pick and practice a coping tool from the Coping Tools Chart.

Card 1

Feeling: Frustrated
Situation: My block tower fell over.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 2

Feeling: Angry
Situation: Someone took my toy car without asking.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 3

Feeling: Sad
Situation: My friend moved away today.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 4

Feeling: Disappointed
Situation: It’s raining and we can’t play outside.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 5

Feeling: Scared
Situation: The thunderstorm is loud and startling.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 6

Feeling: Nervous
Situation: I have to do my first show-and-tell.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Lesson Plan

Feelings in Action Session 2

Students will reinforce deep breathing, counting to five, and positive self-talk by applying them in fresh role-play scenarios, leading small puppet shows, and practicing tools independently.

Revisiting coping strategies in varied contexts deepens understanding and confidence. Independent practice and peer performances encourage ownership of emotion regulation skills.

Audience

PreK Students (ages 4–5)

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Review, model, practice, and reflect

Materials

Session 2 Role-Play Scenario Cards, - Coping Tools Chart, - Emotion Faces Chart Poster, - Stuffed Emotion Puppets, and - Puppetry Station Props

Prep

Prepare Session Materials

10 minutes

Print and cut out Session 2 Role-Play Scenario Cards
Refresh display of Coping Tools Chart and Emotion Faces Chart Poster
Arrange stuffed emotion puppets and puppetry station props around the room
Review the new scenario cards and anticipate student prompts

Step 1

Review Coping Tools

4 minutes

Gather students in a circle near the calm-down area
Display the Coping Tools Chart
Invite volunteers to demonstrate deep breathing, counting to five, and positive self-talk
Praise accurate demonstrations and link to last session’s practice

Step 2

Model New Scenarios

4 minutes

Select one Session 2 Role-Play Scenario Card
Use a puppet to act out the scenario (e.g., feeling frustrated when paint spills)
Ask students which tool the puppet should use and model the steps
Point to the corresponding emotion on the Emotion Faces Chart Poster

Step 3

Independent Role-Play Stations

8 minutes

Divide students into small groups of 2–3
Assign each group to a station with scenario cards, puppets, and props
Students take turns reading the card, acting the feeling, and selecting a coping tool
Circulate to guide choices, scaffold language, and encourage correct tool use

Step 4

Puppet Show Performances

2 minutes

Invite two groups to present a brief puppet show using their scenario and chosen coping tool
Ask the audience to name the tool and describe how it helped

Step 5

Cool-Down Reflection

2 minutes

Reconvene in the circle
Prompt: “Which tool did you use today? How did it help?”
End with a collective deep-breathing exercise guided by the Coping Tools Chart

Slide Deck

Feelings Session 2: Practicing Coping Tools

Objective:
• Review deep breathing, counting to five, positive self-talk
• Apply tools in new role-play scenarios and puppet shows
• Reflect on how tools help us feel calm and confident

Welcome students back and introduce today’s focus: using our coping tools independently in new scenarios and sharing with friends.

Review Coping Tools

• Deep Breathing: Inhale for three, exhale for three
• Counting to Five: Slowly count 1-2-3-4-5
• Positive Self-Talk: Say “I can do it!” or “I feel calm”

Gather students in a circle. Ask volunteers to show deep breathing, counting to five, and positive self-talk. Reinforce correct technique and praise effort.

Model New Scenarios

• Read scenario with puppet
• Identify feeling with the Emotion Faces Chart Poster
• Choose and model a coping tool
• Invite students to suggest next steps

Select one Session 2 Role-Play Scenario Card. Use an emotion puppet to act out the scenario, then ask students which tool to use. Model the steps and point to the Emotion Faces Chart Poster for the feeling.

Independent Role-Play Stations

• Stations of 2–3 students
• Use Session 2 Role-Play Scenario Cards
• Read, act the feeling, pick a tool
• Practice steps and help friends

Divide students into small groups and assign each a station with scenario cards, puppets, and props. Students take turns reading, acting, and using a coping tool while you circulate to support.

Puppet Show Performances

• Two groups present their puppet show
• Audience names the coping tool used
• Describe how the tool helped the puppet feel better

Invite two groups to the front to share a short puppet show using their scenario and chosen coping tool. Encourage the audience to name the tool and describe how it helped.

Cool-Down Reflection

• Share: Which tool did you use?
• Discuss: How did it help?
• Group deep breathing: follow the Coping Tools Chart

Bring everyone back to the circle. Ask: “Which tool did you use today? How did it help you or your puppet?” Then lead a final group deep-breathing exercise using the Coping Tools Chart.

Worksheet

Session 2 Scenario Cards

Card 1

Feeling: Frustrated
Situation: My paint spilled all over my art project.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 2

Feeling: Worried
Situation: I have to go to the dentist for the first time tomorrow.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 3

Feeling: Embarrassed
Situation: I tripped and fell in front of my friends.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 4

Feeling: Jealous
Situation: My friend got a new toy and I didn’t.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 5

Feeling: Lonely
Situation: No one wants to play with me at recess.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Card 6

Feeling: Anxious
Situation: The fire alarm went off suddenly in the hallway.

Which coping tool will help? Circle one:
( ) Deep breathing ( ) Counting to five ( ) Positive self-talk

Practice: Draw yourself using the tool below.

Worksheet

Coping Tools Chart

Display this chart in your calm-down area to remind students of three simple tools they can use whenever they have big feelings.

Tool	How to Use It
🧘 Deep Breathing	1. Place hands on belly. 2. Breathe in slowly for 1-2-3 counts. 3. Breathe out slowly for 1-2-3 counts.
🔢 Counting to Five	1. Take a deep breath. 2. Slowly count 1-2-3-4-5 in your head or out loud.
🗣️ Positive Self-Talk	1. Put one hand on your heart. 2. Say to yourself: “I can do it!” or “I feel calm.”

Tip: Encourage students to point to the icon as they use each step during role-play and real situations.

Worksheet

Emotion Faces Chart Poster

Display this poster in your calm-down area. Encourage students to point to the face that matches their feeling when they’re upset or excited.

Emotion	Face
Frustrated	😤
Angry	😠
Sad	😢
Disappointed	😞
Scared	😨
Nervous	😬
Worried	😟
Embarrassed	😳
Jealous	😒
Lonely	😔
Anxious	😰

Tip: When students name their feeling, ask them to point to the matching face on the poster. This visual helps build their emotion vocabulary and self-awareness.